gside the boys. Next came Agnes and Mrs. Bradley, while Mr.
Bradley followed in the rear, superintending the five pack horses, which
were in charge of three trustworthy Indian servants. All the white men
were armed, and even Agnes carried her gun at the side of the saddle.

Besides the muskets they had also bows and arrows, which were useful for
shooting birds and light game of which the forests were full. On these
they depended for their provisions, for the large amount of wares which
Mr. Bradley carried with him, prevented them from loading on the pack
horses rich supplies of food. Nor was this necessary, for on the way
they passed through many Indian villages, and in these they could
purchase corn meal, which besides meat was the staple food of the
pioneers when away from home.

The distance to Hartford, for which the expedition was bound, was about
one hundred and fifty miles, which Mr. Bradley hoped to cover within a
week's time. This made the journey quite comfortable, though at times
it was arduous enough, since often the trail was very narrow, and many
streams and rivers had to be crossed.

Toward evening the expedition would halt. The Indian guides would
unload the pack horses, and start a huge fire. Fred and Matthew then
erected the tent for the ladies, while they laid around it rich fur
blankets on which the men slept. The Indians camped near by, one of
them watching over the horses which grazed on the tender grass, with
their front feet tied so that they could not roam away too far.

While the men were busy preparing the camp, the women cooked the food
in a large kettle which hung over the fire. This usually contained a
turkey or partridges shot by one of the men on the way. In addition,
there were primitive spits on which were broiled huge pieces of meat,
while in the hot ashes Mrs. Bradley skillfully baked small loaves of
delicious corn bread. In a smaller kettle Agnes cooked the tea, of
which the pioneers were very fond, and which was the only beverage the
white people drank while on the journey. For while the Indians drank
freely of the streams, the pioneers were careful to refrain from it, as
it might prove a cause of sickness, which would delay the trip.

After the meal was finished, Mr. Bradley read from the Bible, which was
the constant companion of the Puritans, and after that the whole
company joined in singing a hymn or two.

The service was simple, but sublime, and the Indians li